"A Bird In the Hand..."

This prompt was presented to me when I was a little, curious, naive girl in third grade.  My response to complete this phrase was "...is a softy." It was only recently, that I learned what the actual ending to this proverb is: "is worth two in the bush".

Makes sense now! But I kinda like my saying better and this series of pictures I took at the Bird Banding Station reminded me of what these young girls might be thinking!

Not So Bad Plan B

We were supposed to be on a 60 mile float trip the last 5 days but we received an email from our outfitter, Moki Mac, while we were in Costa Rica.  It explained how high the river levels were due to nearly two weeks of rain and snow melt, the highest since 1983! The river was full of debris, unsafe, there was a high chance of capsizing, hypothermia, and the camp spots were all flooded.  Hmmmm....that doesn't sound fun or relaxing.  So we pushed our trip back and stayed put for the weekend.  We were extremely productive:  built a shed; built and installed a platform deck for a Swamp Cooler; rearranged space for multiple computer/work stations to accommodate growing needs; oh yeah! put up a hammock in a sweet, shady, spot near the bird feeders.  After long productive work days we spent many relaxing hours cooking, eating and drinking great beverages!  We grilled juicy, marinated chicken and made curried rice filled with veggies, served with Odell's IPA. Dessert was Chocolate Almond ice cream from our local creamery Sweet Cow.  Sunday we grilled Margarita Shrimp skewer's and corn served with fresh spinach salad and a crisp Los Alisos Chardonnay. Dessert was Double Vanilla ice cream and Mango Sorbet served on a layer of fresh raspberry sauce and drizzled with chocolate.  WOW! This morning I made homemade Belgium waffles filled with Ghirardelli 60% cacao chips, smothered in fresh raspberry sauce, Boulder Sausage on the side, fresh Longmont Dairy OJ and a robust French press.  Not bad for Plan B!

Bird Banding Station

Male Wilson's Warbler

Adult Lincoln Sparrow

Bird Banding Station's are set up by ornithologists typically during migration seasons.  Bird Banding or Bird Ringing, as referred to by parts of  Europe and the U.K., was first used by the Romans during the Punic Wars in 218-201 B.C.  Back then it was usually used as a way to send  messages.  Today it is used to gather useful information on specific species and migration.

I had the opportunity to visit a Bird Banding Station on Friday morning.    I was so excited as I walked the trail through the woods towards the Banding Station.  I felt like a little girl anticipating her birthday surprise!  But it turned out it was even more of a treat for me than that!

Tennessee Warbler 

How Bird Banding Works:

Birds are captured in small nets called Mist Nets.  It looks terrible, but surprisingly it really does seem to bother them too much.  The Gill Netting used for fish seemed, to me, more traumatic.

From the Web

Volunteers gather the birds from the mist nets and place them in a small sack:

A small numbered band is placed on their leg: 

Information such as wing and tail measurements are taken:

Cat Bird

Beaks are measured:

The ornithologist blows on the birds breast looking for fat, which indicates it is still on migration path, and a brood patch which indicates it is about to nest:

The birds are carefully put into a PVC tube and weighed:

And then released back into their habitat:

I had such a great experience Friday I am planning on volunteering at the fall Bird Banding Station for the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory .

Congo Bongo, Costa Rica

While we were in Costa Rica we stayed at Congo Bongo, six private, natural, beach rental houses nestled in between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo on the Southern Caribbean Coast.  We arrived at sunset to sounds of Howler Monkey's in the canopy, cicada's  all around and the fragrance of Y'lang Y'lang wafting down the walkway.  Yes, this girl's Paradise!

Outdoor sitting area with shower.

I truly had no idea what to expect from Congo Bongo, except for what I read and saw on their website before we arrived.  I knew there were open air houses, a beach within walking distance and that the property was close to the Gandaca-Manzanillo Nature Preserve.  Congo Bongo is all this and more!

The view from our open air kitchen.

My reaction to the forest the first morning.
Alex asked me what was happening out there.
My response: "Everything is buzzing!"

Daan is the owner of Congo Bongo. He is extremely helpful and will arrange anything you'd like to do from Zip-line tours through the Canopy to Bird Walks with a local guide. My first thoughts were that Daan must have designed this slice of Paradise to allow you to be a part of your surroundings. The six houses are unique and crafted beautifully.You are a part of the rain forest while you are here. Birds, butterflies, flowers, primates, insects all around you! Alex commented several times during our stay how much I was in my element. The tropical rain forest + beach= nell's element!

The magical walkway through the rain forest to the beach.
You are certain to encounter crabs, monkeys and lizards.

Susie, the resident cat at Congo Bongo. 

No need to worry about missing your four-legged friend's while you are here.  'Susie' is the resident family cat who makes herself quite comfortable, anywhere.  And there are numerous free-roaming dogs from the village of Manzanillo who will happily follow you home.  This was "our" dog for a short time.  She was named 'Scraper' and proved to be a tough little girl capable of holding her own when she was approached by two other dogs on the beach.

Scraper made being away from Dudley Brown much more bearable!

If you are looking for room service, air conditioning and chlorine-filled pools Congo Bongo is not for you.  If you are looking for a natural experience, where you are actually a part of your surroundings, you will love it here!

The Journey

Our journey began at 2:00 a.m. as we launched for the airport, excited about getting to San Jose.  Amazingly, everything went without a hitch.  When we arrived in Costa Rica we quickly realized we were on "island time", though obviously not on an island, and therefore things took longer.  But we were in no hurry whatsoever!  We found a vehicle  that would fit all 9 of us for the journey we would make the next day up into the rain forest and over the continental divide. It was a golden colored microbus and we were traveling with a group of creative types so we named her:  The Golden Orb; Solid Gold; Ziggy Stardust; The Golden Egg...

View from El Presidente in San Jose.  Photo by Alex

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica so it's bustling and busy like any other city. After circling the block many times, we eventually found our hotel for the night and settled in, enjoying some local cerveza's and fresh red snapper. Waking up to amazingly fresh, juicy,  delicious fruit plates and aromatic Costa Rican cafe con leche was all I needed to let me know it was going to be an awesome experience!

We piled into the Golden Orb and headed quickly into the mountains. I was looking out the window for the 4 hour drive searching for unfamiliar birds and wildlife. Most happy to be in the hands of our drivers, Sean and Dave. Driving in Costa Rica is sketchy at best!

Launching in the Golden Orb!  Photo by Alex

When we arrived to the Caribbean Coast we stopped at the beach to take it all in! The fresh salty air, the sounds of the waves, the colors most of us from the Rocky Mountains dont see very often.

Alex, Sean and Mihon taking it all in.

I am in my element! Photo by Alex

We were momentarily yanked from our peaceful experience by a loud screeching sound on the road behind us. As we turned to see a microbus shuttle experiencing severe mechanical issues: the back driver's side wheel was rolling in front of the bus! How random is that!?

You can see the wheel of the bus rolling away in between the
purple and orange palms on the left side of  this photo!

Trouble!

There is a saying from Montserrat I try to live by: "No trouble trouble 'til trouble trouble's you!" These folks clearly had trouble to deal with, but luckily no one was injured!

We continued down the coast to Puerto Viejo and stopped for some fresh fish taco's at a little, local establishment. I really expanded my horizon's on this trip and have happily added rum to my adult beverage diet. The drinks are fresh! Fresh pineapple, fresh lime, fresh mint, fresh sugar.  Delicious and fresh!

With the beach was just two blocks away, this was a great way to get our feet wet and spend our first day in Paradise!

Jaguar Centro de Rescate

Here is a short video Alex took of a baby three-toed sloth that was rescued just days before we visited the Jaguar Centro de Rescate near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

Pura Vida!

A glimpse...

Slow Rentry

While we were in Central America enjoying the Caribbean Coast, I missed our boys and often wondered what they would think about the experience.

Now that I am back with our boys, this morning I am missing terribly cafe con leche, howler monkeys, fried plantains, papaya, ceviche, sounds of the rain forest and the warmth my body desires. Funny how life is.

Before and After

Four years and 9 months later..in other words FINALLY!

Happy 16th Birthday!

In Our Yard

I sat and savored a delicious cup of coffee on the deck this morning while Alex grilled Mother's Day French Toast, fried up some thick cut bacon and sliced perfectly ripened, juicy cantaloupe.  It was delightful to actually have the time to sit and watch all that was happening in our back yard.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!